Recommended reading for tots from Toronto Public Library

Jan 04, 2013

Toronto Public Library has created its sixth annual First & Best Booklist, the highly anticipated selection of the year’s best in Canadian books for children from birth to age five that are fun to read and help build early literacy skills.

This year’s list includes some of Canada’s top children’s authors and illustrators, including Jeremy Tankard (It’s a Tiger!), Cary Fagan and Dušan Petri (Mr. Zinger’s Hat), Robert Heidbreder (Noisy Poems for a Busy Day) and Sarah Tsiang (The Stone Hatchlings).

The library’s annual First & Best list is part of its Ready for Reading early literacy initiative – a comprehensive set of free programs, services and resources that supports reading readiness in children from birth to five years.

“The titles on our First & Best Booklist have been carefully chosen by our expert children’s librarians as our country’s best this year that help develop important early literacy skills,” said Lisa Heggum, Children and Youth Advocate for the Toronto Public Library. “Countless studies have shown that spending time reading with your preschool child instils a lifelong love of reading, and opens up countless doors and opportunities in a child’s life. I trust parents and caregivers will enjoy sharing these wonderful books with their children again and again.”

All the books in this year’s First & Best list are available via torontopubliclibrary.ca and at library branches across the city. To find out more about Ready for Reading, visit torontopubliclibrary.ca/readyforreading or inquire at any branch.